Editor, The News:
For 30 years, or more, the oft-heard lament, and petitioned prayer, from Catholic clergy, has been the lack of priestly vocations; with an aging priestly population.
It’s become difficult for casual observers to deny the crisis, regarding the dwindling number of clergy.
The priesthood suffers from making itself irrelevant, by leaving anti-Christian culture un-critiqued, while simultaneously leaving Christianity, or rational Western culture, un-apologized, i.e., undefended.
Moreover, concepts such as sin, specifically the seven capital sins, and how they parasitically subsist on the human soul, are almost universally left unmentioned.
Instead, Catholic clergy present a non-judgmental, affirming, unconditionally loving Jesus, as if Christ and Billy Joel, love you, “just the way you are.”
To criticize is: To contrast an event, performance, activity, phenomenon, etc., with a standard. In noting the disparity, it can then be assessed what effort need be employed to bring the object of criticism in agreement with the standard.
Rather than taking the opportunity of a scandal, e.g., the clergy pedophile cases, as an opportunity to indicate the ubiquity of moral degeneration (did not Jesus choose Judas to teach that even amongst the elect is treachery?), and the need for the individual to strive to conform/submit one’s will to the standard, i.e., the Lord Jesus Christ; clergy behaved sheepishly, as if they were covert participants.
Historically, the Catholic Church teaches self-possession (the habits of the seven cardinal virtues) as the necessary criteria for submitting one’s will to Christ’s. Many a sermon could critique, and relate current events (i.e., the culture of death) to the Apocalypse, very likely, a battle waged daily in individual souls, and likely lost, unless awareness of such a battle is made manifest by a priest of the order of Melchizedek.
Hence their relevancy.
Thomas J. Donegan
New Castle
Letters to the Editor
LETTER: Clergy must critique the culture
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There is much to appreciate in what community offers
The other day we were running around, and I thought how great the road system in this county is. You can go anywhere and everywhere all for free. We passed stores that were packed with all the things you need, and at reasonable prices. There are restaurants and theaters all around, and no end of free things you can do.
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Treatment of children seen as harmful by local agency
Editor, The News: Having an American family, these days, seems to have lost its value. I am the mother of two much-loved children, who are in foster care by Lawrence County Children and Youth Services.
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Farmers may learn too late the true cost of a gas lease
Editor, The News: “All I can say about that is that we’re going to make a lot of farmers around here rich,” was the response given by a shale industry spokesman at a recent event at Wilmington Area High School when he was asked about what effect shale gas well drilling will have on our local agriculture.
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Politicians seek sacrifices from only some citizens
Editor, the News, On April 26, 1945, my father, with a wife and four children, voluntarily joined the U.S. Army. Twelve million people were in our military and fighting the world war raging over much of the globe.
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City should not eliminate historic district protection
Editor, The News: I have been following the proposed changes by city council for the historical district. As someone who has served on city council for more than 17 years, I believe these changes would be a big mistake.
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Obama budget plan declares war on charities, churches
Editor, The News: The march is on for President Obama’s war on deductions for charitable contributions and religion. Obama wanted to greatly limit tax deductions on charitable donations. Informed Americans cried “foul.”
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Neighborhood watch efforts draw communities closer
Editor, The News: After living on my street for over 30 years, I am finally learning the names of everyone on our block. I’m ashamed to say I have always been too busy to get involved with their lives.
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No changes seen regarding the definitions of marriage
Editor, The News: Have the teachings with respect to marriage as contained in the Talmud, the Torah, the Old and New Testaments, the Koran, British common law and Webster’s dictionary changed?
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Cancer society seeks assistance with transportation for patients
Editor, The News: Did you know that there are people in our community who cannot get to the cancer treatments they need to possibly save their lives?
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